Francesca Ortega

Cleaning & Organization Expert

Francesca Ortega is a Cleaning & Organization Expert and the Co-Founder of Excellence Cleaning Pros based in Santa Clarita, California. With more than six years of experience, she specializes in organizing and thorough cleanings of residential spaces. Excellence Cleaning Pros has also been featured in "This is LA" as one of the best local cleaning companies. Francesca and her team are extensively trained and insured.

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Easiest ways to get pen ink out of clothes
One household remedy is to scrub the stain with a paste made of laundry detergent, lime, toothpaste, and baking soda. First, mix all the ingredients together. Then, with a toothbrush, apply it to the stain, and start scrubbing to loosen up the ink. Start absorbing the ink that starts coming out with a rag, then continue to apply more of the paste until you start to see the stain disappearing. Proceed to wash the fabric in the washing machine, so that any leftover residue is washed away. Depending on the fabric and the amount of ink in the fabric, you might have to repeat the process a few times until the ink is completely out. Always read all clothing and fabric labels to make sure you follow the safety precautions.

Another old household remedy that seems to work very efficiently is applying either hair spray, because of the alcohol in it, or just straight rubbing alcohol. First, apply the hairspray or rubbing alcohol directly to the stain. Then, dab it gently with a rag in order to absorb the ink from the fabric. Repeat this process until you notice the stain starting to disappear. Once you notice very little to no ink left behind, you can wash the fabric in the washing machine to get rid of the rest, since the alcohol already made the ink looser and easier to wash off. Depending on the size of the stain, you might have to repeat this whole process a few times until it’s completely gone.

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Co-authored Articles (5)

7 Easy Ways to Get Dried Ink Stains Out of Clothes

Cleaning pros share which methods work best to remove dry inkThe only thing worse than finding an ink stain on clothes? Discovering it after you’ve done the laundry, which means that the spot has been dried, making it ...

The Best Way to Descale Your Breville Espresso Machine

Cleaning your espresso machine has never been so quick and easyIt’s the crack of dawn and you can’t wait to get your hands on a steamy espresso. You crawl to your kitchen and try to make a cup, but your machine is ac...

How to

Descale a Magimix Coffee Machine

Minerals can build up inside your coffee maker over time, slowing water flow or even clogging it completely. Descaling uses a slightly acidic liquid to dissolve these minerals and return your machine to normal. All Magim...

How to

Remove Pen Marks

Ink stains can be a real pain, whether they're on your clothing or on the page. The inks found in different pens can be made from a wide variety of chemicals, so there's not really a single solution for removing an ink s...

How to

Remove a Toothpaste Stain

Toothpaste is great for cleaning teeth, but it’s pretty annoying when it leaves stains on fabric or in the sink. Thankfully, it can be quickly and easily removed with common cleaning products. If the stain is on carpet...